Ant Colony Routing algorithm for freeway networks

Dynamic traffic routing refers to the process of (re)directing vehicles at junctions in a traffic network according to the evolving traffic conditions. The traffic management center can determine desired routes for drivers in order to optimize the performance of the traffic network by dynamic traffic routing. However, a traffic network may have thousands of links and nodes, resulting in a large-scale and computationally complex non-linear, non-convex optimization problem. To solve this problem, Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is chosen as the optimization method in this paper because of its powerful optimization heuristic for combinatorial optimization problems. ACO is implemented online to determine the control signal – i.e., the splitting rates at each node. However, using standard ACO for traffic routing is characterized by four main disadvantages: 1. traffic flows for different origins and destinations cannot be distinguished; 2. all ants may converge to one route, causing congestion; 3. constraints cannot be taken into account; and 4. neither can dynamic link costs. These problems are addressed by adopting a novel ACO algorithm with stench pheromone and with colored ants, called Ant Colony Routing (ACR). Using the stench pheromone, the ACR algorithm can distribute the vehicles over the traffic network with less or no traffic congestion, as well as reduce the number of vehicles near some sensitive zones, such as hospitals and schools. With colored ants, the traffic flows for multiple origins and destinations can be represented. The proposed approach is also implemented in a simulation-based case study in the Walcheren area, the Netherlands, illustrating the effectiveness of the approach.     

Using repeated cross-sectional travel surveys to enhance forecasting robustness: Accounting for changing mode preferences

Transportation system capacity and performance, urban form and socio-demographics define the influences and constraints conditioning the preferences of urban residents for different transport modes. Changes in characteristics of urban areas are likely to lead to changes in preferences for alternative modes of transport over time; as a consequence, statistical models to forecast mode choice need to be sensitive to both purposeful changes to urban systems as well as exogenous shocks. We make use of the 1996, 2001 and 2006 household surveys conducted in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to study mode preference evolution and model forecasting performance. These repeated cross-sectional household surveys provide an opportunity to investigate aggregate structural changes in commuting mode preferences over time, in a manner sensitive to changes in the urban area. We focus on commuting mode choices because these trips are prime determinants of peak period congestion and peak spreading. We then address how to combine the three cross-sections econometrically in a robust way that allows for use of a single mode choice model across the entire period. Using independent data from 2012, we are able to compare the individual year and combined models in terms of forecasting performance to demonstrate the combined model’s more robust forecasting performance into the future.     

21世纪世界新秩序——几种基本理论模式述评

在人类进入21世纪之后，世界需要建立什么样的新秩序才能更好地服务于人类社会?这个问题激发了政治家和思想家们的极大兴趣，他们提出了各种各样的“理论”和“模式”。其中，较具代表性的有：“地球村”模式，世界政府模式，“和平区”与“动乱区”模式，“三大经济区”模式，“明冲突”模式，“单极霸权”或“单极主导下的多极合作”模式，两极或多极均势模式，等等。这些模式各以其独特的视角，试图勾勒出后冷战时代世界新秩序的“地图”。     

我国城市现阶段经济、社会功能定位新探

在我国当前的经济建设中，城市面临着模式转型的过程，同时也面对着不断产生的一系列新矛盾和新要求。文章着重对此加以探讨，并就我国新时期城市功能的新定位提出了建设性意见。     

高职物流信息技术课程教学存在的问题及对策

本文分析了高职院校物流信息技术课程教学现状,从利用高职院校专业资源优势出发,对现代物流信息技术课程课堂教学存在的问题、教学过程模式的改革和优化等方面进行了探讨,并提出了高职物流信息技术课程教学的改革发展思路,对培养现代物流信息技术人才具有一定的现实意义。     

航海类高职院校英语教学现状分析及对策

随着中国加入WTO,中国日益深入国际社会,对外交流日益频繁,特别是从事航海运输工作的海员英语综合运用能力显得尤为重要。本文主要针对航海类高职院校英语教学中普遍出现的几个主要问题进行分析研究,然后根据现状,提出相应的对策,以便能更好的有针对性的进行教学,提高教学质量。     

Experimental study on a model azimuthing podded propulsor in ice

The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of a model azimuthing podded propulsor in ice-covered water. Model tests were carried out with two different depths of cut into the ice (15 and 35 mm), two different ice conditions (presawn and pack ice conditions), and four different azimuthing angles. The depth of cut is the maximum penetration depth of the propeller blade into the ice block. The 0.3-m-diameter model propeller was operated in a continuous ice milling condition. Ice loads were measured by several sensors which were installed in various positions on the model. Six one-axis pancake-style load cells on the top of the model measured the global loads and two six-component dynamometers were installed on the shaft to measure the shaft loads. One six-component dynamometer was attached to the one of the propeller blades inside the hub to measure the blade loads. The pod unit and propeller performance in ice are presented. Ice-related loads, which were obtained when the blade was inside the ice block, are introduced and discussed. During the propeller–ice interaction, a blade can experience the path generated by the previous blade, which is called the shadowing effect. The effects of shadowing, depth of cut, azimuthing angle, and advance coefficient on propulsor performance are presented and discussed.     

体现“湖北制造”经济特色的数控技术专业共享型教学资源库建设

探讨了立足"湖北制造"区域经济特色,依托先进资源管理平台,构建共享、开放型数控技术专业资源库的目标、思路、内容、步骤、规格等核心问题。提出了涵盖2个专业方向、针对15门核心课程、兼顾3个学习层次、打造7个特色模块,建设8种类型资源包、设计多种表现形式的资源库建设方案,以此推动专业建设和课程建设,满足教与学不同方面、多种层次的需求。     

论独立院校微观经济学课程中的实践教学

实践教学作为独立院校教育的重要环节,目的是培养学生理论知识与实践相结合的能力,因此如何合理地设置实践教学环节就显得格外重要。文中拟结合笔者的教学实践谈谈对独立院校微观经济学课程实践教学内容设置的看法。     

《模具制造工艺》课程教学改革的探讨

围绕“工学结合、学作合一”教改思路，开展基于工作任务的教学设计，通过理论与实践教学的合理安排，使学生在教师指导下实施整个工作过程，获得国家模具中级工职业资格证书。